Diminishing returns in regards to being able to handle the increased recoil from the higher velocity/ higher pressure loading used is what I meant.If a big bullet at revolver generated velocities uses a bullet constructed to break bones in the legs and shoulders, and does so at velocities generated in the 460 Smith and Wesson and 500 Smith and Wesson, than what more is needed? A 454 Casull in the 460 platform and a 500 JRH in the 500 platform should also be sufficient. The 460 can shoot a 395 grain hard cast at about 1400 to 1500 fps depending on barrel length. And a 500 JRH can shoot a 500 grain to a sufficient velocity also. So what is the need for more and more?

Diminishing returns in regards to being able to handle the increased recoil from the higher velocity/ higher pressure loading used is what I meant.If a big bullet at revolver generated velocities uses a bullet constructed to break bones in the legs and shoulders, and does so at velocities generated in the 460 Smith and Wesson and 500 Smith and Wesson, than what more is needed? A 454 Casull in the 460 platform and a 500 JRH in the 500 platform should also be sufficient. The 460 can shoot a 395 grain hard cast at about 1400 to 1500 fps depending on barrel length. And a 500 JRH can shoot a 500 grain to a sufficient velocity also. So what is the need for more and more?

If I am using a .460, I'm going to load it like a .460 or there is no point in carrying the larger platform. That said, if I'm carry and hunting with a .454 or .500 JRH, I too will load them to potential. I load Punch bullets in my .500 JRHs to about 1,400 fps -- about as hot as I can while maintaining reliability. I would run them considerably faster in a .500 Smith and yes, they will impart more damage. With big, dangerous animals, more is better. Have you been on the ground with big bovines? Nothing ever seems to be too much of excessive! Don't misunderstand me here. There are lesser calibers that work great on the big stuff, but extracting the maximum reliable horsepower from them simply maximizes their terminal potential.

I have been around cattle all my life and I know how they react and how dangerous they can be if underestimated. I agree with all you related and echo that I use what I can shoot with most accuracy. I use 454 Casull in my 5-inch muzzle-brake equipped 460 S&W to mitigate bullet-pull prone to occur with this round when shot in lighter revolvers. And I shoot 500 JRH because a 440 grain hard cast bullet at 1400 fps in my 6.5 inch half-lug barrel length X-frame is much more controllable than the 500 S&W magnum. And by using the shorter case-length, bullet-pull tie-up is also mitigated. I do not hand load yet but a PUNCH bullet would be my pick too. Ultra reliable bullet construction integrity would be the result. Go with God and God Bless You for being a sane voice of experience when using revolvers for hunting BIG game.

I do alot of the same jeff. I load my shorter barreled 454?s a little down from my long barreled due to reliability and what i shoot best. I use a bfr 7.5? 460 bisley because it gives me max damage and performance with recoil less than top end 454 loads out of the shorter guns. In fact its less than my 10? guns. My only point was that while certain guns can get it done, nothing imparts more damage than my big 460 with appropriate bullets or an equivalent 500 smith with appropriate bullets. The 454 does really well at top end loads with bullets such as punch cen?s and aframes. Ive found the myth of the 1000 fps is all you meed to be somewhat stupifying. It can be all you need, until you hit an animal steps forward a step as your shot is going off and you no longer hit the heart or the hot zone in the vitals. Ive seen some expensive trophy fees run off never to be found due to this and what i would term bullet failure. Good points and good hunting 👍

I thank you for the kind affirmation tradmark. The reason I use what I do as platforms are because both of the X-frame revolvers weigh just over 60 ounces apiece. That weight mitigates the effects of sharp recoil. But the weight of each are just about identical. That makes both feel subjectively familiar to me. The 460 S&W has just a 5-inch barrel and the 500 S&W has just a 6.5 -inch barrel length. Shorter barrels burn gunpowder less efficiently. So I use the shorter powerful cartridges like the 454 Casull and 500 JRH to make sure less powder is wasted in a flame-out at the end of the barrel. If an animal just moves as you squeeze the trigger and the shot hits too far back I would call it not a bullet failure, but I would call it a failure of bullet placement. Either way, a follow-up shot will be necessary. In fact it may take very many follow up shots because the animal is now alerted and churning to try and escape. Large bullets are best in a follow-up so a big bore revolver fits the bill quite well. Good Luck and Good Shooting!!!

Agreed. 1200 fps with a over 400 grain hard-cast, wide-nose, gas check bullet will be in a bad state if hit with that in a vital area. By chance is your BFR 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh with the BFR Bisley style of grip? I would love one like that, but would spend another $600.00 to have a barrel with a band at the front to pinch the back of the barrel band at the front of the ejector rod tube with the back of the BFR frame. That way you have both epoxy holding the tube to the barrel but also a mechanical method of keeping the ejector rod tube intact under heavy recoil. And yes I am all into perfecting and maximizing designs like BFR going to a Bisley style grip and adjusting the trigger guard to keep your middle finger from impacting it under heavy recoil.